A pair of the city’s most accomplished leaders will be stepping into the CEO and CFO/COO roles at the Calgary Wild FC, ahead of the team making their first major player announcements later this week.
Announced on Oct. 23, Lara Murphy will become the team’s new CEO while Lisa Oldridge will be taking on the dual roles of Chief Financial and Chief Operating Officer.
Murphy is the owner of Ryan Murphy Construction, Calgary’s only female-owned commercial construction firm, and the team behind construction projects like the Telus Spark Infinity Dome, First Street Market, and Village Ice Cream.
She also played varsity soccer at Mount Allison University before playing in North America and Europe.
“This role holds deep personal significance for me. Having been involved in soccer throughout my life and understanding the impact it can have personally, I see this as an incredible opportunity to support women in sports at the professional level,” said Murphy, in a prepared news release.
“Calgary and Alberta have long had the potential and passion for soccer, and I’m excited to help create a space where female athletes can thrive, inspire the next generation, and truly feel seen in their community. The chance to challenge the status quo and bring greater visibility to women’s soccer excites me. This is not just about the sport. It’s about building a movement that encourages inclusivity, empowers young girls, and gives women the platform they deserve.”
She said that one of her goals for the team was to build an organization that was inclusive, empowering, and sustainable, setting the standard for women’s soccer across North America.
The Wild FC was one of the founding members of Canada’s only professional women’s soccer league.
“I hold the belief that talent doesn’t come with a label, and neither should opportunity. Up until this past year, young boys grew up playing soccer thinking they will be the next Messi. Young girls did not have that same opportunity to dream. Now they will, and I can’t wait to help make that happen,” Murphy said.
Oldridge comes to the Wild FC after a decade of advisory roles at various boards, with founders, and venture capital funds. She was most recently with Fulcrum Advisors and Ozone Advisory Group Inc., and was a member of the team that launched The51’s first venture capital fund.
“We know that girls who play sports become women who lead. By completing the pathway to pro soccer in all facets of the game right here in Calgary, we’re inspiring all of our kids in this community to be tomorrow’s leaders: on the pitch; in the C-suite; on the mic; and as owners; referees and sport scientists,” she said.
Murphy and Oldridge will be assembling the Wild FC’s staff and coaching team, along with introducing players signed to the team, ahead of their debut in Spring 2025.
The initial teams in the league are Calgary, Halifax, Montreal, Ottawa, Toronto, and Vancouver.
For more details on the team, see www.calgarywildfc.com, and for the Northern Super League, at www.nsl.ca.
